It has been a few weeks since the demise of Lohan. He was known as a politician in the country, but I am going to pen down his Rugby Football achievements.
Having studied at Trinity College, Kandy (TCK) following in his father’s footsteps, Lohan was an outstanding forward in the TCK Rugby Football team, playing in both the first row and second row forward positions. He was a strong and witty player under Tyrrell Rajapakse’s leadership in the unbeaten 1987 team — probably the best side TCK has produced since Rugby Football was introduced to its extracurricular activities in 1906, when the first match was played against Kingswood College, Kandy.
TCK Rugby Football team led by Tyrrell Rajapakse
This team was an incredible outfit for many reasons. With the late Mr Alex Lazarus as head coach, they had superb forwards and a well-organised back division, led by Vice-Captain Shah Dole, who played the vital role of fly-half.
Most of the forwards were weightlifters — strong and muscular — and far superior to other school teams at the time. If I am not mistaken, Tyrrell was the first “Mr Trinity” (please correct me if I am wrong, as I am from another school!).
The 1987 team won the first leg of the Bradby Shield match at Bogambara Grounds by a narrow margin (7–3) against Suren Madanayake’s Royal College (RC) team. However, in the second leg at Sugathadasa Stadium, they came back with a larger margin (19–3) in front of a very large crowd, which included the then President, and former RC rugby legend, J. R. Jayewardene, who was watching the match.
I would be failing in my memory if I did not mention how Lohan, Dilshan (Senanayake), and Rajiv (Bandaranaike), alongside Tyrrell, held firm against continuous RC attacks on their try line during the first leg. Rajiv, in particular, showed unselfish play when, after a dummy through the RC defence and a 40-metre run, he passed the ball to fullback Imthi Marrikar to score. A fine example of sportsmanship and comradeship — well done Rajiv!
In the R. Premadasa Knockout Tournament, TCK beat RC (10–6), Kingswood (11–6), and Isipathana (12–3). They won all their matches that season, scoring 288 points while conceding only 33.
The then Principal of TCK, Rev. (Dr) Wickramasinghe, was so proud of his boys that he awarded the “Rugby Lion” — the highest honour — to Tyrrell Rajapakse, Shah Dole, Dilshan Senanayake, Lohan Ratwatte, Dasarath Kiridena, Rajiv Bandaranaike, Senani Gunaratne, Nilantha Rathnayake, and Imthi Marrikar.
All other players were awarded TCK Rugby Football colours.
From the 1987 TCK Rugby Football team, Tyrrell and Lohan Ratwatte went on to play for Kandy Sports Club, while Imthi and Shah played for CR & FC. Nilantha Rathnayake later represented Sri Lanka in cricket, touring Australia with the One Day International team, and today he is involved in coaching at TCK.
Janaka Kiridena and Lohan Ratwatte coached the TCK Rugby Football team in 1993, 1994, and 1995 with much distinction.
Personally, I first met Lohan in 1995 when his beloved father, General Anuruddha Ratwatte, was Deputy Minister of Defence. The General was very fond of me, having been introduced to him as the pioneer of the Sri Lanka Navy Special Boat Squadron (SBS). At one point, he even wanted to expand the SBS with Army units under the command of Brigadier (then) Sarath Fonseka.
Lohan later entered politics to fill the vacuum created by the demise of his father.
I often wonder how far he would have gone in Rugby Football coaching if he had not joined politics.
We will remember you, Lohan, as a prominent member of the invincible TCK Rugby Football team of 1987, especially on this eve of the Royal vs Trinity Bradby Shield Rugby Football match.
May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
